You'll need to bring a government or school-issued photo ID and an acceptable form of payment to the testing center. You'll also need an email account that you can check from a Web browser.

3. Can I use study materials or a calculator during the exam?

No study materials are permitted during the exam. You will be required to leave your cell phone, laptops, backpacks, etc. outside the testing room during the exam. You may not talk with anyone or get any help with the exam during testing. No questions require calculation.

4. What is the exam like?

The exams are multiple choice and multiple response. The time limit is 60 minutes and the passing score for most exams is 70% (the TriCaster 8000 is 75%). The test items are drawn randomly from a large bank of questions which are divided into skills and knowledge areas. For some questions, a description of the initial conditions for the question, and often an image, appears above the question. Read each question carefully, then pick the best response from among those given. None of them are trick questions, but the available responses are not meant to describe the complete behavior of the product, only to test your knowledge of how the machine and a qualified operator work together to produce the best live production. To get the highest possible score, pick the best available answer.

If you pass, you join the ranks of the elite force of live event producers. Within a few days, you'll receive an email with an official, personalized, printable certificate as a PDF attachment. This certificate is suitable to display proudly, and attests to your knowledge of product operation. Additionally, if you choose, your name and contact information will be added to the Certified Operator Directory on the NewTek website, so potential employers and customers can easily find you and verify your certification.

6. What happens if I don't pass?

Often, this indicates a need for further study and practice with product operation in order to attain a level of proficiency required to pass the exam. Don't be discouraged; some operators do not pass the test the first time. Instead, use this as motivation for further study and practice. Refer to the Learning Resources page for study materials.

You must wait one week before attempting a retest. The retest is the same price as taking the exam the first time.